DWP explains the groups of people who must apply for Winter Full Payment - full list

As autumn nears many people are already beginning to think about keeping warm over the colder weather. High energy costs however mean it can be an extra financial worry for pensioners who might already be struggling.

There is help available through the Department of Work and Pensions Winter Fuel Payment which gives a payment towards covering some of the cost. It is given to people born before September 22, 1959 with a allowance of up to £300 available to help keep homes warm.

In 2024, the Labour government made changes to who was eligible for the payment, cutting millions off the number of pensioners who would receive the money and leaving just 1.5 million people who qualified. Prior to this, it was given to all pensioners, but under the new policy, it made it only available to those on certain means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit.

However following a major backlash, including from charities and many pensioners organisations, this year it has changed the rules once more. Now the government has announced it will reinstate it for pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 in 2025, increasing the number of people eligible to nine million.

Despite this some people will still not qualify - even if their income falls below this level. And while those with incomes above £35,000 will still receive it they will have to pay it back, unless they opt out from receiving the money in the first place.

Those excluded include if you were in hospital or a care home for a specific week in September. People who live outside England or Wales are also ineligible.

Most people who qualify will get the payment automatically. However there are two groups who will havr to make a claim before they will receive their money.

The DWP says: "If you were born before September 22, 1959, you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a 'Winter Fuel Payment."

People living in Northern Ireland might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive. Eligibility rules will be the same as for England and Wales. Those living in Scotland cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. However they might be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating payment.

If you live in a care home you can get Winter Fuel Payment. However you will not be eligible if both of the following apply:

• you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• you lived in a care home for the entire year from June 23, 2025, or earlier

Who will get the payment automatically

Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they're eligible. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:

• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer's Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Income Support
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• awards from the War Pensions Scheme
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Incapacity Benefit
• Industrial Death Benefit

Who must claim

While the payment is automatic for most some must apply to receive it. According to the DWP if you do not get any of the above benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:

• you've not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
• you've deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment

How to claim

You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:

• post - from 15 September 2025
• phone - from 13 October 2025

The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is 31 March 2026.

Claim by post

Fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR

Claim by phone

Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone.

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Email enquiry form
Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Textphone: contact Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160
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Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
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What to prepare before you call

Before you call, you will need to know:

• your National Insurance number
• your bank or building society details
• the date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate)

You'll also need to say whether during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025 you were:

• in hospital getting free in-patient treatment
• in a residential care home or Ilford Park Resettlement Home
• in prison

How much will I get?

The amount you get is based on your birth date and circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025. This is called the 'qualifying week'.

If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment you will get either:

• £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
• £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
• If you live with someone else who's eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment

Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support

If you do not get any of the benefits

You'll get a payment of:

• £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
• £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
• £200 if you were born before September 22, 1945, but the person you live with was born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
• £150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945

If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits

One of you will get a payment of either:

• £200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
• £300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945

If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)

You'll get a payment of either:

• £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945

If you live in a care home if you're eligible you'll get either:

• £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £150 if you were born before September 22, 1945

Will it affect my benefits?

Any payment, no matter the amount, will not affect your other benefits.

When will I be paid?

Most people who qualify will be paid in November or December 2025.